PART TWO: Self-confidence is necessary, but tying it to weight may not be healthy

PART TWO
By Monique Richard MS, RDN, LDN

In a bully, ‘selfie’-centered society, self-confidence is important and we should have it for so many reasons, but weight should not be one of them. Here are some reminders of what confidence should be based on. How confident are you?

Your health or health management.

You may not be in control of all the details and diagnoses, but you are in control of the choices you make regarding your health. Focus on how you feel, what your health status is and what barriers are stopping you from achieving your goals.

Do you . . .

exercise regularly?

eat a balanced, varied and moderate diet of wholesome foods to support your awesomeness?

participate in stress management practices?

get adequate hydration and sleep daily?

seek professional guidance when self-management becomes difficult or overwhelming?

Your beautiful brain.

Even daily tasks we may consider the simplest, or the most challenging, are fueled by your body and brain. Your intelligence and drive to be better, to learn, to thrive, is a beautiful thing.

Do you . . .

read, write, paint, draw, play an instrument, listen, speak another language, sign, teach, sing or learn on a daily basis?

drive, decide what to wear, decide what to have for breakfast, feed and take care of yourself, the kids, animals, spouse or plants?

Your kind spirit.

Your generous heart, good intentions and thoughtfulness are something to be cherished and certainly humility is admired, but feel proud about the kind of person you are.

Do you . . .

check on your neighbor, family member, or co-worker?

carpool the neighborhood kids?

call a friend to check-in?

listen to the same story for the umpteenth time?

donate time, money or goods to the food shelf, church, community garage sale, 5K, cancer awareness program, hospital, shelter or national organization?

As a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), my goal is to help you thrive.

That means looking at several different elements and using many tools in my toolbox. One of those tools may or may not be weight in order to establish a baseline of health status in addition to other necessary clinical information. What is happening physiologically? What are some barriers that prohibit you from getting to your most optimal health? Working through these answers should naturally move you toward an ideal body weight for you, but that is not the focus, health is.

You have every right to be confident and I hope you can help teach others to believe in themselves as well, but let it be for all the reason beyond physicality and weight.

Set yourself free and see the beauty that has been there all along and if you need help, we’re here!

Monique Richard is a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) and licensed dietitian nutritionist (LDN) with a Master of Science degree in Clinical Nutrition completed through the coordinated program at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree with a concentration in dietetics and minor in psychology from Middle Tennessee State University. READ HRE FULL BIO HERE.